How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I first heard about the surgery back in the 70's and felt that it was a crutch for someone who was weak and unwilling to control themselves.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

Start out knowing that your insurance company does not care about your health. The best thing a sick person can do for the insurance company is to die. They are not interested in helping you, they are insterested in spending as little money on each client as possible! If you unterstand that from the beginning you may persue them as you have never persued anyone in your life. I gave up after my denial. DO NOT FEEL GUILTY OR ASHAMED TO ASK (DEMAND) THAT YOU BE HEARD. Start preparing beforehand and find out the rules of your insurance company and do everything possible to document any requirements. FIGHT!!! FIGHT!!!! FIGHT!!!!! THEY OWE IT TO YOU, THAT IS WHAT YOU PAY THE PREMIUMS FOR.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

It was the first time I have been to a doctors office or a hospital that a gown actually fit me. That was the most impressive thing to me. Dr. Butler was very kind and professional and did a thorough exam. Be prepared to ask questions and get the answers before you leave, if the Dr. doesn't have time to answer them now, there surely won't be time in the future.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was on 12 medications daily. Conditions included GERD, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, Edema of the legs and feet, COPD, Low Thyroid, I had a heart attack 1-1/2 yrs. ago. I could not walk 75 feet without extreme exertion and being winded, Asthma. I think that about covers it?

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went in for the Roux-n-Y, but the surgeons did not feel comfortable with my severe adhesions of the small bowel and my ability to get through that surgery without a transfusion and more serious complications.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I really had no fear of complications before surgery. I was in such bad shape physically that it did not matter what happened during surgery. As far as I was concerned, I would either make it or not. If I didn't make it I wouldn't know it. It is difficult to advise other people as to how they should approach this surgery. Everyone is so different. I would only tell them my story and advise them to do some soul searching and make their decision.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

Everybody was very supportive that knew before surgery. I did not tell my brothers and sister until after I had had the surgery. I don't think I would change that if I had to do it over again. This was not something I was proud of at the time.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

The hospital stay was not great, There is no great hospital stay! The staff and the equipment were better than any other I had seen. I was there for 8 or 9 days? Bring a positive attitude, you can get anything else you need when you are there.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

I went to intensive care for 2 days, but was told before surgery that I might have to be on a ventilator for quite a while. I developed a wound infection after surgery and thanks to my surgeon was treated by the staff and my wife was taught how to properly care for my infection at home. I was told that I should have an additional surgery to clean up the wound and some suction treatment, but since my insurance company was not paying anything I chose to take the advice of my bariatric surgeon over the advice of the wound care physcian (surgeon). Was told that it could take many months to clear up and for the wound to heal. With the expert help I received from my wife I was healed within 8 weeks. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had first believed.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I felt relieved, the only anxiety I had was that I had to wait more time to get this done. All the stress was in: 1. Making the decision to do something about my condition. 2. Trying to get the insurance company to see the light and cover my expenses. 3. Making the decision to go ahead without the insurance company.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

My first few weeks are probably not the normal. I had a wound infection that had to be treated several times a day. My insurance company AETNA would not cover the treatment. My wife learned to treat me and clean and pack the wound. Other than causing a little anxiety even this wasn't too bad.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

Surgery was about 40 miles from our house. It did not affect my aftercare at all.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

I had a vertical banded gastroplasty, because I had had several other abdominal surgeries and the small bowel was full of adhesions, so my surgeon did not feel comfortable with the bypass. I believe that having the VBG made it harder on me to get back to a regular diet. For the first several months I basically had nothing but soups. I slowly increased the thickness of the soups and the solid contents of the soups. I still cannot eat a lot of solids. Just recently (Feb. 04) I have been able to eat Filet Mignon, but it has to be cut up into very very small pieces and chewed thoroughly. My ability to handle liquids is also getting better. Fish does well now, but chicken still is a problem. Stringy vegetables are still a problem.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

Aftercare and the support group that Dr. Butler and Palms of Pasadena hospital have are the most important part of the whole program. Without it I believe the program would be a failure. You need to have the program in place and to take part in the support group before you have the surgery. Without it I would not have been as successful.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

That is the least of my worries. It is ugly, but a scar I wear proudly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I really have not had a real problem with plateaus yet, but I feel that they are just around the corner. If I did not see a weight loss in a week I perceived a plateau, but if you figure that I have lost 144 pounds in 6 months it is difficult to find the plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They are now and I mean just recently commenting on how much better I look. I think that they were afraid to say much before this. Some that have known me for 30 years were doubtful that I would do as well.